1 Samuel 9

“Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the…” Naming Abiel and Aphiah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of…” Naming Israel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they…” Naming Benjamites and Ephraim keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that…” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for…” The line’s distinctive content terms include city, haste, high. Its relationship to verses 11 and 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go…” Naming Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain…” Naming Benjamin and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among…” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.” Naming Bring and Samuel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that…” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.” Naming Samuel and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he…” Naming Bid keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.